Emmanuel Little, Ph.D., currently serves as director of training and DEI Initiatives at Big Brothers Big Sisters of Metro Atlanta. He led the Call Me MISTER (Mentors Instructing Students Toward Effective Role models) program at Georgia College. He led several initiatives for young men of color in higher education and several committees focused on leadership for diversity issues. His research interests revolve around support for historically marginalized and underrepresented students in higher education, particularly concerning access and opportunity. Specifically, his scholarship focuses on expanding the knowledge base that informs his work with these communities. Emmanuel also thrives as a voice-over artist (aka “MannyVoices“) and podcaster (via The No Wednesday Podcast). He has also been known to dabble in poetry and rap music in his spare time as a creative outlet for his passions. He earned his Bachelors in mass communication and Masters in public administration at Georgia College, and a Ph.D., in Higher Education from The University of Georgia. Learn more about Emmanuel by logging on to https://emmanuellittle.com/.

Shani Lenore is currently the Vice President of Enrollment at Maryville University. Her 24-year career has included admission/enrollment positions at Columbia College (Columbia, MO), Southeast Missouri State University, and Saint Louis University. During Ms. Lenore’s tenure at Maryville, she developed and implemented multi-dimensional recruitment/marketing/enrollment campaigns informed by market and geo-demographic analysis, oversaw the implementation and effective use of numerous recruitment CRM’s, and employed financial aid leveraging strategies resulting in record freshmen classes while maintaining academic quality and increasing geographic and ethnic diversity. Shani has served as Past-President of the Missouri Association for College Admission Counseling, served as a delegate to the National Association for College Admission Counseling, and held the Past-Chair position on the Missouri ACT State Organization. Shani also served as a Senior Consultant with AACRAO Consulting. She has been significantly involved in other regional and national professional organizations, presenting on various enrollment management topics regionally and nationally.

Bo Cobb was born and raised in St. Louis, Mo., and graduated from Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville with a Bachelor of Science in Theatre-Performance. After graduating, he understood the value of developing relationships and mentorship and began working in the non-profit sector, managing group homes, and serving as a youth pastor. Bo also wrote and directed several plays geared toward praising the Lord while uplifting the youth and families. He is a big advocate for mental health and healing. Bo understands how recovery leads to freedom, a fresh start, and a re-connection. "Cooking with Bo: Unique & Delicious Plant-Based Meals" is available at most major retailers, including Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and Walmart. 

Charleese Hasan was raised in St. Louis, MO. She holds a B.S. in Biology and Chemistry from St. Louis University, an MBA from Webster University, and a Ph.D. in Strategic Intelligence from Harvard University. She is an active-duty Navy Captain, business owner, and founder of Eboni Eyes' non-profit education foundation. CAPT Hasan has served as an active duty Intelligence Officer for over 24 years. She is the Prospective Commanding Officer of Brooks Center for Maritime Engagement in Suitland, MD. Hasan is co-owner of OH Charlie LLC, a commercial real estate investment company specializing in acquiring and managing retail strip malls. She also specializes in the acquisition and management of vacation rentals. The Eboni Eyes Foundation conducts financial literacy and entrepreneurship programs and provides college scholarships to St. Louis area students. To learn more visit http://www.ebonieyes.org.

In 2018, Nite Owl won a song contest with the St. Louis Cardinals that is now featured as their theme song called "Cardinal Nation: Hearts Are Pumpin!"  Nite Owl's music continues to be discovered and rapidly consumed through sync licensing placements worldwide. From Mexico to London to Japan to the Middle East, he learns of new fans hearing his sound for the first time. Ultimately, you will want to cheer for this St. Louis talent extraordinaire, as he's created a sweet blend of musical styles.  His style embodies the integrity of Underground lyrical Hip Hop music, paired with the characteristics of mass commercial appeal. Nite Owl has written, recorded, and released 23 independent albums throughout his music career.  He refuses to be outworked in the studio and on stage. His fans and critics often compare him to Jay-Z, Nas, Kanye West, and Common. Nite Owl performs Hip Hop music alongside a live band and DJ during his live performances, making his shows exciting and new.  His performances are innumerable but include being the show opener for The Roots, Talib Kweli & Little Brother, and Waka Flocka Flame.  Nite Owl took 1st place in the HOT 104.1FM Koch Madness Competition after competing with 208 other St. Louis Hip Hop artists.  And he has been booked to perform more than any other Hip Hop artist or group in the St. Louis area. Nite Owl proves that he only gets better with time and has outlasted many other indie artists in his region.  He is proud to be a Hip Hop artist who is unsigned, authentic, and timeless.'

Dr. Brian L. English was born and raised in Dallas, TX, and attended grade school in the Dallas Independent School District. He received his undergraduate degree in marketing and MBA from Texas A&M University-Commerce.  Additionally, Brian graduated with a Ph.D. from The University of Texas at Arlington’s Educational Leadership and Policy Studies program.  After a short stint working in corporate America, Brian worked for Education is Freedom as a college advisor and executive coordinator at Concord Church. He focused mainly on community engagement.  He recently served as the Executive Director of the UT Youth Engagement Center - Dallas within The University of Texas at Austin’s Division of Diversity and Community Engagement.  In this role, he oversaw the Dallas outreach programs for UT Austin and developed/implemented innovative pathways to success for high school students, college students, and graduates in the Dallas area.  He now serves as Director of Community Relations for Dallas College.  Brian has been married to Dr. Ashley English since December of 2012. They have three beautiful children (Joseph, Joshua, and Faith).

Rachel McCoy lived most of her life in the Atlanta, Georgia area. She graduated cum laude from Wofford College in South Carolina, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in Psychology. She also holds a master’s degree in Educational Psychology from the University of Texas – Austin and an Education Specialist degree in School Counseling from Georgia State University. Rachel is passionate about public education and connecting students to postsecondary opportunities. She was a public-school counselor in Georgia for fourteen years, often called upon to lend her voice as an advocate for both students and professionals. Later, Rachel obtained her Education Leadership certification and LPC (Licensed Professional Counselor) and National Certified Counselor (NCC) credentials. Rachel has presented at numerous regional and national conferences on various school counseling and college access initiatives throughout her career. For the last eight years, Rachel has worked for national nonprofit organizations working directly with educators, school districts, and state agencies to expand access to postsecondary opportunities on a larger scale.

In this short episode, Pastor Nate offers a special short prayer for our Podcast, our Leaders, and our Country. 

Pastor Nate Stewart is a native of Macon, Georgia. Immediately after high school, Pastor Nate attended college on a football scholarship. His dream was to play for the NFL, but those plans were halted after he suffered a major knee injury during his freshman year. At this time, Pastor Nate began to really pray and seek God about his life and his future.  In 1997 Pastor Nate accepted his call to full-time ministry, and the journey began at The Florida School of Preaching. He moved on to Christian Bible College, where he received his Bachelor of Theology Degree and Master of Ministry Degree in Christian Counseling. He served in Little Rock, Ark, Cleveland, Ohio, Atlanta, GA, and Macon, GA, where I paths crossed as he served as Executive Pastor at The House of Hope Atlanta and The House of Hope Macon, under the direction of his spiritual father and mentor, Dr. E. Dewey Smith, Jr.  In 2017, Pastor Nate received an unexpected call from the Lord to serve as the Senior Pastor of Greater Life Church. After much hesitation and prayer, he accepted the offer and moved his family to San Diego, California, to serve as the 3rd Pastor in the church’s 45-year history. 

Born in Cincinnati, OH, Dorian Brown grew up in East St. Louis, IL. As an undergraduate, he attended the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Dorian began as an engineer ended with a BA in history and a minor in mathematics. He received a Master's in History with an emphasis in African American History from Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville. He pledged Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc through the vessel of the Iota Pi Chapter. He currently is ABD in pursuit of a Ph.D. in History at Saint Louis University. His research interests include African American history and African history. Dorian served as a Professor of History at St. Louis Community College at Forest Park for 19 years before joining the African American Studies Faculty at City College of San Franciso, where he currently serves.